In January 2009, TYIN invited 15 norwegian architect students from NTNU to participate in a workshop at the Safe Haven Orphanage. The workshop was led by Associate Professor Hans Skotte and architect Sami Rintala. The most immediate needs of the orphanage was a library and a new sanitary building.
TYIN worked on the bathhouse with the Karen workers from Noh Bo, while at the same time workshop participants put their efforts into the library. The concrete base of the library was cast onto a bed of large rocks gathered on-site. Walls were made from plastered concrete blocks, cooled the building during the day. While the open bamboo facades provided good ventilation throughout the building. The 'Iron wood' made up the solid frame construction and serves as comfortable floor for the children to play on.
The bookshelves run along the concrete walls in their full height, and the floor is left unfurnished to give room for different activities. The entrance, creates a comfortable buffer between the outdoors and indoors and divides the ground floor into a small computer area on one side and a larger library room on the other.
The most important thing to Tasanee is that her children are provided food and education. In the library the children at Safe Haven Orphanage now have a space to do homework, use a computer with internet and read books written in different languages. The new building has also attained the important role of a gathering space and is frequently used for play, games and crafts.
The NTNU, as an educational institution, contributes to workshops like this is of great importance. It creates a unique opportunity for young, skilled students to engage real problems and make decisions with real consequences.
